Hi Mark
would you mind to explain the logic on this? and what DNS servers those are? ... will they stay in >the system when I use the wireless this server only? etc etc ...
will I need to be watching these DNS entries each time I connect to another wireless system?
well, the 'logic' is that sometimes yer isp and/or router are slow, inaccurate, hacked (rarely) or out of action - both in general, and sometimes for specific sites.
The numbers you used were from OpenDns.org who provide a free service available to anyone, and also offer extra features for money. fwiw, I prefer dns to say server not found when I type something wrongly, rather than go to OpenDns advertising, but hey, it's free and has some bells & whistles you don't get elsewhere.
Entered in System Preferences, yes - the dns servers will be used for as long as you use the same Network Location ( chosen in System Prefs, or via the Apple Menu - Location )- assuming they're available & operating. An isp might reject dns requests to their if you're not connected to their service, for example - and a US only dns server might understandably be a bit slower in some other part of the world. Opendns should be a similar speed, anywhere. If you suspect it's being a slowpoke -
http://code.google.com/p/namebench/ will seemingly track down the fastest one from your location.
... I went to the IP of my wireless router and looked at the internet settings and note that the DNS settings there are 64.59.144.18 and .19 .... I put those in to the main network replacing the ones you gave me, and it also works ... with great connection ... sheesh ... I am thinking that the default of the DNS setup when I first connected to this wireless network uses the IP of the router to connect to the DNS which is in the software of the router, but really should be copying the DNS info over to my computer network software ... something like that .. I am on the right track?
Sounds like the router wasn't/isn't doing its job (esp given the speed increase), perhaps specifically had cached a duff entry (usually temporary), or since I gather that other sites worked fine, maybe your mac had cached a bad one for Air Canada ? (again, very temporary, in theory)
Ideally, the router should handle it all for you, and you can ignore the settings in System Prefs - but hey-ho, things happen.